Great Wall Guide

Choose a section and understand the tradeoffs: distance from Beijing, crowds, and restoration level.

Sections from Beijing

Mutianyu: restored, cable car, good for day trips and layovers. Badaling: closest but busiest. Jinshanling/Simatai: more authentic, longer drive. We can match a section to your time and preference.

Realistic tradeoffs

  • Drive time: 1.5–2.5 hours each way from central Beijing
  • Crowds: shoulder season and weekday visits are quieter
  • Fitness: some sections are steep; cable car options exist at Mutianyu

Tours that include the Great Wall

  • Great Wall day tour from Beijing
  • Mutianyu Great Wall layover tour

Great Wall day tour

Mutianyu layover tour →